Systems and Methods for Providing a Cloud Flowmeter

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for providing a cloud flowmeter are provided by certain embodiments of the disclosure. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, there is disclosed a method, which can include receiving, from a meter device, at least one flow signal via at least one network; determining, based in part on the at least one flow signal, at least one flow characteristic, data characteristic, or meter characteristic; and storing the at least one flow characteristic, data characteristic, or meter characteristic in a data storage device remote from the meter device.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the disclosure generally relate to meters, and moreparticularly, to systems and methods for providing a cloud flowmeter.

BACKGROUND

Meters, such as flow meters, are used to measure certain physicalcharacteristics and/or outputs. For example, a flow meter can be used tomeasure characteristics or output of a fluid flow. Meters, such as flowmeters, are typically physically located at the point of measurement,and the data received or otherwise obtained by such meters is usuallylocally stored.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Some or all of the above needs and/or problems may be addressed bycertain embodiments of the disclosure. Certain embodiments may includesystems and methods for providing a cloud flowmeter. According to oneembodiment of the disclosure, there is disclosed method. The method caninclude receiving, from a meter device, at least one flow signal via atleast one network. The method can also include at a processor remotefrom the meter device, determining, based in part on the at least oneflow signal, at least one flow characteristic, data characteristic, ormeter characteristic. The method can also include storing the at leastone flow characteristic, data characteristic, or meter characteristic ina data storage device remote from the meter device.

According to another embodiment of the disclosure, there is disclosed asystem. The system can include one or more processors, remote from ameter device, with computer-executable instructions. Thecomputer-executable instructions can be operable to receive, from themeter device, at least one flow signal via at least one network;determine, based in part on the at least one flow signal, at least oneflow characteristic, data characteristic, or meter characteristic; andstore the at least one flow characteristic, data characteristic, ormeter characteristic in a data storage device remote from the meterdevice.

Further, according to another embodiment of the disclosure, there isdisclosed one or more computer-readable media, remote from a meterdevice, storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed byat least one processor, configure the at least one processor to performoperations. The operations can include receiving, from the meter device,at least one flow signal via at least one network; determining, based inpart on the at least one flow signal, at least one flow characteristic,data characteristic, or meter characteristic; and storing the at leastone flow characteristic, data characteristic, or meter characteristic ina data storage device remote from the meter device.

Other embodiments, systems, methods, apparatus aspects, and features ofthe disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from thefollowing detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and theappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale. The use of the samereference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identicalitems.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an environment showing an illustrativesystem or cloud flowmeter according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating another example method accordingto an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure will now be described morefully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichsome, but not all embodiments of the disclosure are shown. Thedisclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not beconstrued as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicablelegal requirements. As noted above, like numbers refer to like elementsthroughout.

Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure are directed to, among otherthings, a cloud flowmeter. As an overview, certain meters, such as anultrasonic-type flowmeter, can receive signals associated with a fluidflow. One or more transducers associated with the flowmeter can be usedto detect, generate, or otherwise measure certain data corresponding toone or more characteristics of the fluid flow. The transducer cantransmit the data to the flowmeter, which can generate one or morecorresponding signals to be communicated via one or more networks forprocessing and/or storage. The signals can be used by a server orprocessing device remote from the flowmeter to generate, for example, aflow measurement, and the flow measurement can be stored in a datastorage device and/or processed by a remote server or processing device.Signals can also be used to generate other flow characteristics, metercharacteristics, and/or data characteristics, which can include, but arenot limited to, real time measurements, instrument logging data,instrument error data, instrument configuration data, meterconfiguration data, diagnostic data, historical measurement data, etc.In certain embodiments, the flow characteristics, meter characteristics,and/or data characteristics can be transmitted to one or moreapplication programs and/or services, which can access and utilize someor all of the data, signals, and/or flow measurements. In certainembodiments, one or more control actions and/or flowmeter controlactions can be determined and implemented based at least in part on someor all of the signals or flow measurements.

Technical effects of certain embodiments of the disclosure may includedecreasing the costs of manufacturing and maintaining meters located inthe field. Further technical effects of certain embodiments of thedisclosure may include faster and less expensive updates of servicesand/or application programs offered in conjunction with utilizing someor all of the signals or flow measurements. Further technical effects ofcertain embodiments of the disclosure may include increased use of andwidespread use of data received by or otherwise obtained by installedmeters.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example environment or system 100 for a cloudflowmeter or apparatus 102 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.The cloud flowmeter or apparatus 102 can be in communication with one ormore servers 104 via at least one network 106, which is shown as asingle block in FIG. 1 but can represent one or multiple networks. Theapparatus 102 can be located at or otherwise associated with a premisesor an installation, while the one or more servers 104 can be located ator otherwise associated with a utility service, such as a utilitycompany, a utility provider, or an entity, delegate, or person thatmonitors, controls, administers, or provides a utility or utilityservice monitored by the apparatus 102.

The cloud flowmeter or apparatus 102 shown in FIG. 1 can include one ormore transducer interfaces 108, a control device 110, a processor 112,one or more memory devices 114, and a communications interface 116. Theone or more transducer interfaces 108 can be operable to communicatewith one or more respective transducers 118A-118N, sensors, or otherdata measuring devices to receive or otherwise obtain data and/orsignals from the respective transducers 118A-118N. In certainembodiments, the transducers 118A-118N can generate signalscorresponding to a flow characteristic or meter characteristicassociated with an amount of at least one utility being consumed, used,output, or otherwise being provided to a premises or installation. Incertain embodiments, the transducers 118A-118N can measure an amount ofat least one utility being consumed, used, output, or otherwise beingprovided to a premises or installation. A utility can include, but isnot limited to, power, natural gas, water, data, sewer, fluid, gas, orany other measurable item or service provided by or regulated by autility provider or utility service.

The control device 110 can interact with the one or more transducerinterfaces 108 as needed to communicate signals and/or data collected orreceived from the one or more transducers 118A-118N to the processor112, or otherwise transmit instructions from the processor 112 to theone or more transducer interfaces 108 and/or transducers 118A-118N. Incertain embodiments, the control device 110 can receive one or morecontrol signals from the processor 112 and/or a remote processor, suchas 120.

The processor 112 can be in communication with the one or more memorydevices 114. The processor 112 may be implemented as appropriate inhardware, software, firmware, or combinations thereof. Software orfirmware implementations of the processor 112 may includecomputer-executable or machine-executable instructions written in anysuitable programming language to perform the various functionsdescribed. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the processor 112 canreceive the data and/or signals from the respective transducers118A-118N and transducer interfaces 108, and the processor 112 cangenerate corresponding delta T, signals, signal files, and/or otherparameters. The corresponding delta T, signals, signal files, and/orother parameters may be transmitted by encryption (with a time stamp andtransducer ID) or unencrypted to a remote server or processor, such asserver 104 or processor 120.

The one or more memory devices 114 may store program instructions thatare loadable and executable on the processor 112, as well as datagenerated during the execution of these programs. Depending on theconfiguration and type of environment or system 100, the one or morememory devices 114 may be volatile (such as random access memory (RAM))and/or non-volatile (such as read-only memory (ROM), flash memory,etc.).

In one use example, one or more transducers 118A-118N can be mounted toa pipe through which a fluid flows. The transducers 118A-118N can detector otherwise fluid flow parameters within the pipe, and the transducerinterfaces 108 can receive one or more corresponding data and/or signalsgenerated or otherwise transmitted by the transducers 118A-118N. Thetransducer interfaces 108 and/or control device 110 can communicate thecorresponding data and/or signals to the processor 112 and/or memorystorage devices 114 as needed. The processor 112 can receive the dataand/or signals from the transducer interfaces 108, and the processor 112can generate corresponding delta T, signals, signal files, and/or otherparameters, and transmit encrypted or unencrypted delta T, signals,signal files, and/or other parameters to a remote server 104 orprocessor 120.

The communications interface 116 shown in FIG. 1 can be a deviceoperable to facilitate communications between the processor 112associated with the apparatus 102, and one or more remotely locatedprocessors, such as a processor 120 associated with the one or moreservers 104. In some embodiments, the communications interface 116 canbe operable to facilitate communications between the processor 112associated with the apparatus 102, and a utility service, or a processorassociated with the utility service. In other embodiments, thecommunications interface 116 can be operable to facilitatecommunications between the processor 112 associated with the apparatus102, and stored database, another computing device or server, userterminals, and/or other devices on the network 106. In certainembodiments, a communication interface 106 can facilitate communicationsvia at least one radio frequency. In certain embodiments, acommunications interface 116 can facilitate communications via wiredand/or wireless communications. In any instance, a communicationsinterface 116 can facilitate or otherwise provide communications betweenat least two processors, or between the processor 112 and a utilityservice.

The one or more servers 104 may each be a computing device, such as apersonal computer (PC), handheld or tablet computer, or otherprocessor-based device, remotely located away from the cloud flowmeteror apparatus 102. The one or more servers 104 can include a respectiveprocessor 120, which can be in communication with one or more respectivememory devices 122, and remotely located away from the cloud flowmeteror apparatus 102. Similar to the processor 112 associated with theapparatus 102, each processor 120 associated with the one or moreservers 104 may be implemented as appropriate in hardware, software,firmware, or combinations thereof. Software or firmware implementationsof the processors 120 associated with the one or more servers 104 mayinclude computer-executable or machine-executable instructions writtenin any suitable programming language to perform the various functionsdescribed.

The one or more memory devices 122 associated with the respectiveservers 104 may include additional removable storage and/ornon-removable storage including, but not limited to, magnetic storage,optical disks, and/or tape storage. The disk drives and their associatedcomputer-readable media may provide non-volatile storage ofcomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, andother data for the computing devices. In some implementations, the oneor more memory devices 114, 122 of the apparatus 102 and the one or moreservers 104 may include multiple different types of memory, such asstatic random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM),or ROM.

The one or more memory devices 114, 120 respectively associated with theapparatus 102 and the server 104, the removable storage, andnon-removable storage are all examples of non-transitorycomputer-readable storage media. For example, non-transitorycomputer-readable storage media may include volatile and non-volatile,removable and non-removable media implemented in any method ortechnology for storage of information such as computer-readableinstructions, data structures, program modules or other data. The one ormore memory devices 114, 120 associated with the apparatus 102 and theservers 104, the removable storage, and non-removable storage are allexamples of non-transitory computer storage media. Additional types ofnon-transitory computer storage media that may be present include, butare not limited to, programmable random access memory (PRAM), SRAM,DRAM, RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory(EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, compact discread-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile discs (DVD) or otheroptical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tapes, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which canbe used to store the desired information and which can accessed by theserver or other computing device. Combinations of any of the aboveshould also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

However, in other embodiments, computer-readable communication media mayinclude computer-readable instructions, program modules, or other datatransmitted within a data signal, such as a carrier wave, or othertransmission. However, as used herein, computer-readable storage mediadoes not include computer-readable communication media.

As shown in FIG. 1, one or more client applications 124A-124N or clientdevices can be in communication with the one or more servers 104. Eachof the client applications 124A-124N or client devices may be associatedwith a respective processor, which may in turn be associated with autility provider or other service provider. Furthermore, each of theclient applications 124A-124N or client devices may operate or otherwisecommunicate via at least one data protocol, such as a Modbus/TCP,Backnet/IP, or other protocol.

As mentioned above, FIG. 1 provides an example environment or system 100for the cloud flowmeter or apparatus 102 of FIG. 1. The exampleenvironment or system 100 may be configured to be a networked computerenvironment or system, or distributed computer environment or system.While only a single apparatus 102 is shown in FIG. 1, one will recognizethat multiple apparatus, similar to 102, or cloud flowmeters, can be incommunication with the one or more servers 104 and/or a utility serviceby way of a communications network, such as 106. Each of the apparatus,such as 102, or cloud flowmeters can be associated with a respectivepremises or installation.

The cloud flowmeter or apparatus 102 and/or one or more servers 104 mayalso include one or more input devices, such as a keyboard, mouse, pen,gesture or voice input device, touch input device, etc., and one or moreoutput devices, such as a display, speakers, printer, etc.

Turning to the contents of the one or more memory devices 114 associatedwith the cloud flowmeter or apparatus 102 in more detail, the one ormore memory devices 114 may include an operating system and one or moreapplication programs or services for implementing the features andaspects disclosed herein, including a program memory operable to storeone or more execution algorithms 114A, an operating memory 114B operableto store any number of real-time measurements and signals, and aflowmeter engine module 114C or application program. The flowmeterengine module 114C may include one or more computer-executableinstructions operable to receive, from a meter device, at least one flowcharacteristic or meter characteristic via at least one network. Theflowmeter engine module 114C may also include one or morecomputer-executable instructions operable to store the at least one flowcharacteristic or meter characteristic in a data storage device remotefrom the meter device.

Turning to the contents of the one or more memory devices 122 associatedwith the respective one or more servers 104, the one or more memorydevices 122 may include an operating system and one or more applicationprograms or services for implementing the features and aspects disclosedherein, including a program memory operable to store one or moreexecution algorithms, such as a flowmeter engine module 122A orapplication program, and an operating memory 122B operable to store anynumber of real-time measurements and signals.

In certain embodiments, the flowmeter engine module 122A may include oneor more computer-executable instructions operable to receive, from ameter device, at least one flow signal via at least one network. Forexample, one or more flow signals can be generated by one or moretransducers 118A-118N and/or respective transducer interfaces 108 inresponse to detecting or otherwise receiving fluid flow parameterswithin a pipe. The one or more flow signals can be transmitted via atleast one network 106 to the flowmeter engine module 122A and/orprocessor located remote from a cloud flowmeter or apparatus 102.

The flowmeter engine module 122A may also include one or morecomputer-executable instructions operable to determine, based in part onthe at least one flow signal, at least one flow characteristic, datacharacteristic, or meter characteristic. For example, one or more flowsignals received by the flowmeter engine module 122A and/or processorlocated remote from a cloud flowmeter or apparatus 102 can be used todetermine at least one flow characteristic, such as volumetric flow,speed, sound speed, etc., data characteristic, such as log data anddiagnostic data; or meter characteristic, such as meter error data,meter configuration data, etc. As needed, the flowmeter engine module122A can adjust or modify a flow characteristic, data characteristic, ormeter characteristic using one or more calibration coefficients and/orother parameters stored at the one or more memory devices 122 orotherwise accessible by the flowmeter engine module 122A and/or the oneor more servers 104.

The flowmeter engine module 122A may also include one or morecomputer-executable instructions operable to store the at least one flowcharacteristic, data characteristic, or meter characteristic in a datastorage device remote from the meter device. For example, at least oneflow characteristic, data characteristic, or meter characteristic can bestored by the flowmeter engine module 122A in a data storage device,such as 122, for subsequent processing and/or retrieval. In addition, asneeded, any adjusted or modified flow characteristics, datacharacteristics, or meter characteristics can also be stored by theflowmeter engine module 122A. In any instance, the flow characteristics,data characteristics, or meter characteristics can be converted to andstored by the flowmeter engine module 122A in one or more suitable dataprotocols, such as a Modbus/TCP or Backnet/IP protocol.

The flowmeter engine module 122A may also include one or morecomputer-executable instructions operable to transmit the at least oneflow characteristic, data characteristic, or meter characteristic to oneor more client applications 124A-124N or client devices in communicationwith the flowmeter engine module 122A and/or the one or more servers104. In addition, as needed, any adjusted or modified flowcharacteristics, data characteristics, or meter characteristics can alsobe transmitted by the flowmeter engine module 122A to one or more clientapplications 124A-124N or client devices in communication with theflowmeter engine module 122A and/or the one or more servers 104.

In addition, the flowmeter engine module 122A may also include one ormore computer-executable instructions operable to optionally determine,based at least in part on the at least one flow characteristic, datacharacteristic, or meter characteristic, at least one meter controlaction at a processor remote from the meter device. For example, a metercontrol action, such as controlling a valve, can be determined by theflowmeter engine module 122A, based at least in part on the at least oneflow characteristic, data characteristic, or meter characteristic.

Furthermore, the flowmeter engine module 122A may also include one ormore computer-executable instructions operable to optionally generate,based at least in part on the at least one flow characteristic, datacharacteristic, or meter characteristic, at least one control signal,and transmit the at least one control signal via at least one network.For example, based at least in part on the at least one flowcharacteristic, data characteristic, or meter characteristic, theflowmeter engine module 122A can generate and transmit at least onecontrol signal to a control device, such as 110.

In some embodiments, the flowmeter engine module 122A can communicate orotherwise interact with any number of processors and/or other flowmeterengine modules, such as 114C, to facilitate or otherwise execute some orall of the foregoing computer-executable instructions or operationsdescribed above.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the one or more memory devices 122associated with the respective servers 104 can include certain data,such as instrument configuration records 122C, instrument calibrations122D, instrument logs 122E, instrument measurements 122F, instrumentcommunication drivers 122G, and instrument signal data 122H. In certainembodiments, one or more instrument communication drivers 122G caninclude one or more computer-executable instructions operable to convertor otherwise pack previously generated or obtained measurements into atleast one protocol envelope prior to transmitting the measurements to atleast one client application, such as 124A-124N. Thus, for example, if aparticular client application, such as 124A, uses Modbus/TCP protocol,or another specific protocol, after a previously generated or obtainedmeasurement, such as volumetric flow, is calculated by the flowmeterengine module, such as 122A, one or more instrument communicationdrivers 122G can be used to convert or otherwise pack the measurementinto a Modbus/TCP protocol envelope, and the data envelope can betransmitted to the desired client application 124A. In this manner, eachclient application 124A-124N may use different communication and/or dataprotocols, and the data conversion to these protocols can be implementedvia the instrument communication drivers 122G or otherwise remotely fromthe client applications 124A-124N.

While the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 describes a server 104 with variousmodules 122A, 122B and functionality apart from the flowmeter orapparatus 102, one will recognize that certain functionality associatedwith the server 104 can be distributed to any number and combination ofservers, processor-based devices, or utility service providers inaccordance with other embodiments of the disclosure.

Various instructions, methods, and techniques described herein may beconsidered in the general context of computer-executable instructions,such as program modules, executed by one or more computers or otherdevices. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects,components, data structures, etc., for performing particular tasks orimplementing particular abstract data types. These program modules andthe like may be executed as native code or may be downloaded andexecuted, such as in a virtual machine or other just-in-time compilationexecution environment. Typically, the functionality of the programmodules may be combined or distributed as desired in variousembodiments. An implementation of these modules and techniques may bestored on some form of computer-readable storage media.

The example apparatus 102 and server 104 shown in FIG. 1 are provided byway of example only. Numerous other apparatus, utility meters, servers,operating environments, system architectures, and device configurationsare possible. Accordingly, embodiments of the disclosure should not beconstrued as being limited to any particular apparatus, utility meter,server, operating environment, system architecture, or deviceconfiguration.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of an illustrative process 200 for implementingat least one embodiment of providing a cloud flowmeter, as describedwith reference to FIG. 1. In one example, the server 104 and/or theflowmeter engine module 122A, or the system 100 may perform any, some,or all of the operations of process 200.

In this particular implementation, the process 200 may begin at block202 in which the process 200 may receive, from a meter device, at leastone flow signal via at least one network. As noted above, one or moretransducers, such as 118A-118N in FIG. 1, operating in conjunction witha flowmeter engine module, such as 122A in FIG. 1, can transmit at leastone flow signal as observed or received by a meter device 102 in FIG. 1,via at least one network, such as 106 in FIG. 1, to the flowmeter enginemodule 122A.

Block 202 is followed by block 204, in which based in part on the atleast one flow signal, at least one flow characteristic, datacharacteristic, or meter characteristic is determined. For example, aflowmeter engine module, such as 122A in FIG. 1, and/or processor, suchas 120 in FIG. 1, can determine, based in part on the at least one flowsignal, at least one flow characteristic, data characteristic, or metercharacteristic.

At block 206, the process 200 can store the at least one flowcharacteristic, data characteristic, or meter characteristic in a datastorage device remote from the meter device 102. For example, aflowmeter engine module, such as 122A in FIG. 1, and/or processor, suchas 120 in FIG. 1, can store the at least one flow characteristic, datacharacteristic, or meter characteristic in a data storage device remotefrom the meter device 102, such as 122B in FIG. 1.

In one aspect of an embodiment, the flowmeter engine module 122A, asneeded, can adjust or modify a flow characteristic, data characteristic,or meter characteristic using one or more calibration coefficientsand/or other parameters stored at the one or more memory devices 122 orotherwise accessible by the flowmeter engine module 122A and/or the oneor more servers 104.

In one aspect of an embodiment, any adjusted or modified flowcharacteristics, data characteristics, or meter characteristics can alsobe stored by the flowmeter engine module 122A. In any instance, the flowcharacteristics, data characteristics, or meter characteristics can beconverted to and stored by the flowmeter engine module 122A in one ormore suitable data protocols, such as a Modbus/TCP or Backnet/IPprotocol.

At block 208, the process 200 can transmit the at least one flowcharacteristic, data characteristic, or meter characteristic to one ormore client applications. For example, a flowmeter engine module, suchas 122A in FIG. 1, and/or processor, such as 120 in FIG. 1, can transmitthe at least one flow characteristic, data characteristic, or metercharacteristic to one or more client applications, such as 124A-124N.

At optional block 210, the process 200 can determine, based at least inpart on the one flow characteristic, data characteristic, or metercharacteristic, at least one meter control action at a processor remotefrom the meter device. For example, a flowmeter engine module, such as122A in FIG. 1, and/or processor, such as 120 in FIG. 1, can determine,based at least in part on the one flow characteristic, datacharacteristic, or meter characteristic, at least one meter controlaction.

At optional block 212, the process 200 can generate, based at least inpart on the at least one flow characteristic or meter characteristic, atleast one control signal. For example, a flowmeter engine module, suchas 122A in FIG. 1, and/or processor, such as 120 in FIG. 1, cangenerate, based at least in part on the at least one flowcharacteristic, data characteristic, or meter characteristic, at leastone control signal, which corresponds to the at least one meter controlaction.

After block 212, in optional block 214, the process 200 can transmit theat least one control signal via the at least one network. For example, aflowmeter engine module, such as 122A in FIG. 1, and/or processor, suchas 120 in FIG. 1, can transmit the at least one control signal via theat least one network, such as 106, to the meter device 102 and/or acontrol device 110 associated with the meter device 102.

The process 200 may end after block 210.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of another illustrative process 300 forimplementing at least one embodiment of providing a cloud flowmeter, asdescribed with reference to FIG. 1. In one example, the cloud flowmeteror apparatus 102, or the system 100 may perform any, some, or all of theoperations of process 300.

In this particular implementation, the process 300 may begin at block302 in which the process 300 may transmit, from a meter device, at leastone flow signal via at least one network to a remote processor. As notedabove, one or more transducers, such as 118A-118N in FIG. 1, operatingin conjunction with a flowmeter engine module, such as 114C in FIG. 1,and/or processor 112 in FIG. 1, can transmit at least one flow signal asobserved or received by a meter device 102 in FIG. 1, via at least onenetwork, such as 106 in FIG. 1, to the flowmeter engine module 122Aand/or processor associated with a server, such as 120 in FIG. 1.

At block 304, the process 300 can optionally receive at least onecontrol signal, via the remote processor, based at least in part on atleast one flow characteristic, data characteristic, or metercharacteristic determined by the remote processor, operable tomanipulate a control device associated with the meter device. Forexample, a flowmeter engine module, such as 114C in FIG. 1, and/orprocessor, such as 112 in FIG. 1, can receive at least one controlsignal, via the remote processor 120 and/or flowmeter engine module122A, based at least in part on the at least one flow characteristic,data characteristic, or meter characteristic determined by the remoteprocessor 120, operable to manipulate a control device associated withthe meter device, such as control device 110 in FIG. 1.

The process 300 may end after block 304.

In other process embodiments, fewer or greater numbers of operations canbe implemented.

The above processes 200, 300 are illustrated as logical flow diagrams,in which each operation represents a sequence of operations that can beimplemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. In thecontext of software, the operations represent computer-executableinstructions stored on one or more computer-readable storage media that,when executed by one or more processors, perform the recited operations.Generally, computer-executable instructions include routines, programs,objects, components, data structures, and the like that performparticular functions or implement particular abstract data types. Theorder in which the operations are described is not intended to beconstrued as a limitation, and any number of the described operationscan be combined in any order and/or in parallel to implement theprocess.

Illustrative systems and methods of for providing a cloud flowmeter aredescribed above. Some or all of these systems and methods may, but neednot, be implemented at least partially by an architecture and processes,such as those shown in FIGS. 1-3. It should be understood that certainacts in the methods need not be performed in the order described, may berearranged or modified, and/or may be omitted entirely, depending on thecircumstances. Also, any of the acts described above with respect to anymethod may be implemented by any number of processors or other computingdevices based on instructions stored on one or more computer-readablestorage media.

Although embodiments have been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the specific featuresor acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosedas illustrative forms of implementing the embodiments.

The claimed disclosure is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving, from ameter device, at least one flow signal via at least one network; at aprocessor remote from the meter device, determining, based in part onthe at least one flow signal, at least one flow characteristic, datacharacteristic, or meter characteristic; and storing the at least oneflow characteristic, data characteristic, or meter characteristic in adata storage device remote from the meter device.
 2. The method of claim1, wherein the at least one flow characteristic comprises at least oneof the following: a real time flow measurement, or ultrasonic flow meterdata.
 3. The method of claim 1, the at least one data characteristic ormeter characteristic comprises at least one of the following: meter logdata, meter error data, meter diagnostic data, or meter configurationdata.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining, basedat least in part on the at least one flow characteristic, datacharacteristic, or meter characteristic, at least one meter controlaction at a processor remote from the meter device.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: transmitting the at least one flowcharacteristic, data characteristic, or meter characteristic to one ormore client applications.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:generating, based at least in part on the at least one flowcharacteristic, data characteristic, or meter characteristic, at leastone control signal; and transmitting the at least one control signal viathe at least one network.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving atleast one flow characteristic, data characteristic, or metercharacteristic via at least one network comprises receiving the at leastone flow characteristic, data characteristic, or meter characteristic bya plurality of computer processors remote from the meter device.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the meter device comprises one or moretransducer devices operable to generate respective signals, each signalcorresponding to at least one flow characteristic, data characteristic,or meter characteristic.
 9. A system comprising: one or more processors,remote from a meter device, with computer-executable instructionsoperable to: receive, from the meter device, at least one flow signalvia at least one network; determine, based in part on the at least oneflow signal, at least one flow characteristic, data characteristic, ormeter characteristic; and store the at least one flow characteristic,data characteristic, or meter characteristic in a data storage deviceremote from the meter device.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the atleast one flow characteristic comprises at least one of the following: areal time flow measurement, or ultrasonic flow meter data.
 11. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein the at least one data characteristic or metercharacteristic comprises at least one of the following: meter log data,meter error data, meter diagnostic data, or meter configuration data.12. The system of claim 9, wherein the computer-executable instructionsare further operable to: transmit the at least one flow characteristic,data characteristic, or meter characteristic to one or more clientapplications.
 13. The system of claim 9, wherein the computer-executableinstructions are further operable to: determine, based at least in parton the at least one flow characteristic, data characteristic, or metercharacteristic, at least one meter control action by at least oneprocessor remote from the meter device.
 14. The system of claim 9,wherein the computer-executable instructions are further operable to:generate, based at least in part on the at least one flowcharacteristic, data characteristic, or meter characteristic, at leastone control signal; and transmit the at least one control signal via theat least one network.
 15. The system of claim 9, wherein the meterdevice comprises one or more transducer devices operable to generaterespective signals, each signal corresponding to at least one flowcharacteristic, data characteristic, or meter characteristic.
 16. One ormore computer-readable media, remote from a meter device, storingcomputer-executable instructions that, when executed by at least oneprocessor, configure the at least one processor to perform operationsfor: receiving, from the meter device, at least one flow signal via atleast one network; determining, based in part on the at least one flowsignal, at least one flow characteristic, data characteristic, or metercharacteristic; and storing the at least one flow characteristic, datacharacteristic, or meter characteristic in a data storage device remotefrom the meter device.
 17. The one or more computer-readable media ofclaim 16, wherein the at least one flow characteristic comprises atleast one of the following: a real time flow measurement, or ultrasonicflow meter data.
 18. The one or more computer-readable media of claim16, wherein the at least one data characteristic or meter characteristiccomprises at least one of the following: meter log data, meter errordata, meter diagnostic data, or meter configuration data.
 19. The one ormore computer-readable media of claim 16, comprising computer-executableinstructions that further configure the at least one processor toperform operations for: transmitting the at least one flowcharacteristic, data characteristic, or meter characteristic to one ormore client applications.
 20. The one or more computer-readable media ofclaim 16, comprising computer-executable instructions that furtherconfigure the at least one processor to perform operations for:determining, based at least in part on the at least one flowcharacteristic, data characteristic, or meter characteristic, at leastone meter control action at the at least one processor remote from themeter device; generating, based at least in part on the at least oneflow characteristic, data characteristic, or meter characteristic, atleast one control signal; and transmitting the at least one controlsignal via the at least one network.